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The [[strikethrough]] Biological Surv [[/strikethrough]] Department of Agriculture has had many reports this season of damage to the rice crops by blackbirds and other birds in [[strikethrough]] the State of [[/strikethrough]] Arkansas Texas, and elsewhere and I have been directed to proceed to the areas from which complaints have come and to gather what information I can as [[strikethrough]] to the extent of the damage and [[/strikethrough]] to the species of birds that are doing the harm and the extent of the damage that has been accomplished. In getting this information it will probably be necessary for me to shoot a certain number of blackbirds and others in the rice fields in order to examine their crops and stomachs. Though it is probable that rice has by this time all been harvested, the [[strikethrough]] bir [[/strikethrough]] examination of birds feeding on waste grain in the stubble will have a direct bearing on the investigation. We ask your cooperation in this work in [[strikethrough]] For this purpose therefore [[/strikethrough]] that I desire a letter from you stating that I have permission to shoot blackbirds and other birds in the State of Texas in order to investigate their relation to the culture of rice, [[strikethrough]] I am authorized now to take s dw [[/strikethrough]] so that I may do this without the semblance of violating your local game laws.

Such permission may be mailed to me at Eagle Lake, Texas and I shall consider it a favor if you will give this matter immediate attention [[strikethrough]] as my time in so [[/strikethrough]] that I may lose no time in the work. I expect to reach Eagle Lake on December 24 [[strikethrough]] and 25 [[/strikethrough]] and desire to start the work immediately after Christmas day.